WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Rep. Alcee Hastings vowed Tuesday to play nice with House Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi, D-California, after she passed him over to head the House Intelligence Committee. But not before the Florida congressman delivered a parting blow to critics of his chairmanship bid.
"Sorry, haters, God is not finished with me yet," Hastings said in a statement.
Hastings also said he will continue to seek "better and bigger" opportunities in the upcoming Congress.
Pelosi, who told Hastings earlier today she would not hand him the committee chairmanship, expressed confidence the Florida congressman will continue to serve the country well on issues of national security.
"Alcee Hastings has always placed national security as his highest priority," Pelosi said in a statement. "He has served our country well, and I have full confidence that he will continue to do so."
-- CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
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